as in to trigger
to cause to function
his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of touch off
The move touched off widespread anger among Georgians, who polls show are firmly pro-EU, and prompted a police crackdown, with over 400 people, including senior opposition leaders, detained.
—
Reuters, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2024
The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer, a right-wing influencer with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump's selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2024
The rules have touched off an intense fight between tech companies and the government, as well as among administration officials.
—Ana Swanson, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
The mayor’s own involuntary commitment initiative, under which NYPD officers and outreach teams took in individuals who appeared to pose a threat, has touched off controversy since its start in 2022.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for touch off 
Reuters, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2024
The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer, a right-wing influencer with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump's selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2024
The rules have touched off an intense fight between tech companies and the government, as well as among administration officials.
—Ana Swanson, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
The mayor’s own involuntary commitment initiative, under which NYPD officers and outreach teams took in individuals who appeared to pose a threat, has touched off controversy since its start in 2022.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for touch off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off
Verb
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The flurry of changes triggered by the directive has led to the erasure of articles featuring NASA astronomers from underrepresented communities that the agency published in years past, like this one.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2025
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Trump's executive actions — many of which have direct links to Project 2025 — have already had far-reaching impacts, triggering a rapid shakeup of the federal bureaucracy.—
Avery Lotz,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The referral agent is also voice activated and calls patients to connect them with the right specialists.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2025
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Charged visions seek to be explored when the moon activates Mars retrograde.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The package has sparked a bidding war with Warner Bros, Amazon, Apple and Netflix among those understood to be in the mix for the hot project which is garnering WW offers around the $45M mark.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
15 Feb. 2025
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Confusion sparks debate Arizona attorney general leads 14-state coalition suing to block Elon Musk, DOGE Have a news tip or story idea about the border and its communities?—
José Ignacio Castañeda Perez,
The Arizona Republic,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Any salary or pension benefit increases for city workers would further drive up short- and long-term costs.—
Mariana Trujillo,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
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In a nine-year major league career with Boston and Chicago, Moncada hit 93 home runs, drove in 339 runs, and slashed .254/.331/.424.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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How Venezuela Helps Fuel Colombian Violence: A decades-old rebel group has waged the worst violence in Colombia in a generation, setting off troubling regional tensions.—
Atul Loke,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2025
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The tragicomedy follows a grieving widower who sets off on an epic quest to find the truth about a mysterious photo left behind by his deceased wife.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In November, a record price at auction was set by a work created for a robot powered by AI.—
George Nelson,
ARTnews.com,
11 Feb. 2025
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Markets shrug off tariff fears U.S. stocks rose on Monday, powered by major tech names and as traders looked past the latest U.S. tariff threat from President Donald Trump.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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With their young talent and upcoming draft picks, the Heat have moved forward in crafting such a potential package.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Feb. 2025
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Besides agriculture, Priam also moves steel, flat deck freight, and various industrial materials, serving manufacturers and suppliers across North America.—
William Mullane,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near touch off
Cite this Entry
“Touch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touch%20off. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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